International Football's Biggest Overachievers - The Story of the Croatian National Team

In just over 30 years since independence, Croatia has achieved 3 medals at the FIFA World Cup in seven attempts, with a population of just 4 million. How has it done so? In this second part of a two-part series we will explore the years between 2006 and present day. Join me.
The Story of Croatia Part 1: • From War to World Cup ...
SOCIAL MEDIA:
X: x.com/intothefray_yt
CHAPTERS:
Intro - 00:00
The Story So Far - 01:16
UEFA Euro 2008 - 03:15
World Cup 2010 (ft Serbia Interlude) - 06:32
UEFA Euro 2012 - 09:16
World Cup 2014 - 12:12
UEFA Euro 2016 - 14:33
World Cup 2018 - 17:11
UEFA Euro 2020 - 21:46
World Cup 2022 - 24:28
Present Day and Outro - 28:23
SOURCES:
BBC:
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/...
CBS Sports:
www.cbssports.com/soccer/news...
Statista:
www.statista.com/statistics/1...
UEFA:
www.uefa.com/european-qualifi...
www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history...
www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history...
www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history...
MUSIC:
Bumba Crossing by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Temptation March by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Artist: audionautix.com/
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[@intothefray12]

Afterthoughts: - This has been the most ambitious project I have undertaken on this channel so far and it's a pleasure to finally share the second part with you. I really hope you enjoy. - As always keep comments respectful, I understand discussion around Yugoslavia and the present day states remains touchy, so let's show civility with one another. - A few fun videos in the pipeline are exploring the next 'new' winner of the World Cup and a video on the bidding to host major tournaments. Let me know if there's anything you want to see that you haven't already made me aware of. Believe me, my list is long! - Thank you for the support once again in 2023, I hope to make even better content for you all this year.

[@powderskier5547]

I am sure we will be seeing Croatia in many more major tournaments in the future after Modric, they just keep producing talent

[@HrvojeBan]

I love that we (Croatia) have a rivalry with such a huge footballing nation like England, we denied England qualifying for the Euro 2008 with the legendary 3-2 at Wembley, they got their revenge and denied our team getting to WC2010 and had two emphatic wins against us. We patiently waited for our revenge and it was very sweet at the semifinal at WC2018, then we lost the UEFA Nations League decider at Wembley and the EURO 2020 group game. So I guess we will have to wait our chance for our revenge. The fact that in Qatar 2022 we won bronze and England lost the QF against France is also nice, other than the ancient 1966 England's WC title Croatia is a much more successful team at World Cups compared to England which is a ridiculous fact (I, of course, compare the nations from the 1998 tournament up to today since Croatia wasn't an independent country allowed to compete before that). One more ridiculous fact, Croatia appeared at 6 World Cups and won medals at 3 of them. So statistically, Croatia wins a medal at every other World Cup tournament. I'm not optimistic that we can keep up this success, but I thought we will have to wait 20 years for the next World Cup semifinal after the 2018 final, but as we know, we had back to back semis.

[@iv6872]

Brilliant video, honourable mention to cult hero Dado Prso from those pre Bilic years, he embodied the Croatian warrior poet spirit! A football romantic and a humble man to boot!

[@intothefray12]

Yeah he got a big mention in the Part 1 around Euro 2004. I love his unusual route to the NT. Thanks for watching!

[@cibetka76]

Funny that he emboded the Croatian warrior poet spirit since he was 100% pure Serb. More like he embodied the sad reality of those few Serbs who werent ethnically cleansed by Croats and remained in Croatia, who are 2nd class citizens, under constant scrutiny and danger of violence, and who have to completely deny their origin, identity and culture. These people have to show double the loyalty to Croatia compared to Croats to be tolerated. Many of them sunk into deep Stockholm syndrome and identified with their butchers, probably deeply inside unable to stand the reality of their situation. Its absolutelly fascinating that a large portion of the Croatian nation was formed in this way, even though the horros that Croats did towards Serbs in the past are without doubt most terrible in entire history of Europe, including times of Huns and Barbarians. Absolutelly fascinating, and some serious scientists should study this.

[@TheSpookyDuke]

@@cibetka76 Liar liar pants on fire. Pure Greater Serbia expansionist propaganda. It's well known up to 20 thousand Croatian Serbs took part in defending their Croatian homeland from the Serbian invasion. Most of the Croatian Serbs though rebelled against elected and legal Croatian government in a terrorist coup backed by Serbian government lead by Milosevic and his proxies in Bosnia and Croatia. And the biggest lie of all was that Serbs in Croatia were 2nd class citizens when it's widely known that Serbs were in charge of all essential public services in all ex Yugoslavia republics - military, police, diplomacy, international business, everything.

[@deepsilence88]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@cibetka76man you are full of shit. Did Croatia attack itself? Did history start in 1995? How did your Serbia treat those people who ran away from Croatia even though they were invited to stay? Why were they running? They were treated as second class citizens and stigmatized. The Serb soldiers who came to Serbia were held in concentration camps because of the treason. You Serbs are world champions in rewriting the history. You lost all the wars and you are now celebrating them as wins. You celebrate people who made mass murders as national heros. You accused and convicted for a treason a guy who surrendered military objects and weapons and saved hundreds of lives of young cadettes, but you are celebrating the one who blew up the objects and killed himself and cadettes and some Croatian soldiers. He is your national hero. You made mass murders everywhere you went during that war. There are still people who's graves are not found even 30 years after the war. Vukovar was flattened with ground and then you made a movie showing it from the air and claiming we did it to ourselves. Croatian people were defending themselves with freaking hunting guns in the beginning of war. How the fuck could we do that to ourselves? Politicians from Serbia seduced poor Serbian people in Croatian territory with promises of greater Serbia. Virovitica-Karlovac-Karlobag? Is that familiar to you? Your current president was giving radical speeches in Glina and serving war criminal Seselj during that war. Now he will betray people from Kosovo same way he betrayed those people in Croatia. Now you are talking about Prso being Serb. So what if he is? He is still one of the greatest Croatian players. He wanted to play for Croatia. He was successful in France. Nobody forced him to claim anything. And about being second class citizens, Serbs have guaranteed representatives in Croatian parliament. They even have their representatives in the government. Do Croats have that in Serbia? Of course they were not treated well immediately after the war and it took time for people to get over what happened, but man that's nothing compared to what Serbs did when they took over the parts of Croatia which they called SAO Krajina. There are videos of your soldiers marching through Vukovar and singing There will be meat, we will slaughter Croats. That video is one of the worst things I ever heard. And that was shown on your natural TV. How is You don't mention that shit? How is that normal? They raped women and slaughtered men. Of course, those kind of thing get forgotten in minds of Serbs like you. You only mention the parts that suit you and your victim narrative. Because that's what the government is feeding you in movies and propaganda thought in schools from very young age. You never mention that Serbs in Croatia declined the offers for piece many times. The last one was Z4 plan. I have no issues with Serbs and I was never treated badly by any Serb. I worked in Serbia for a foreign company and I was always welcomed, and I have many friends there, but idiots like you are all what's wrong with Serbia together with your government who ownes all the media, falsifies the elections and rewrites the history. Now about football, it would be much better for your players to learn something from Croatian national team because on the last world cup their biggest achievement was fucking each other's wives and girlfriends. And when they were leaving Serbia to go there, they were shown as one of the favourites for winning the world cup. Instead of that they won 1 point. Just to mention I would never write a single bad thing about Serbia and I love Novak Đoković and all Serbian basketball players, but people like you are making me do this.

[@MrSatelit28]

@@cibetka76 Ciciban, you are funny guy 🤣🤣🤣

[@REALMX11]

I just realize that Mexico beat Croatia twice in the World Cup Group Stages (2002 and 2014). But wow what a journey for Croatia. From the Rise, the fall, and the resurgence of the national team after their independence. Although it seems unlikely that Luka Modrić will win a title with Croatia. The Nation League 2022/23 was the closest thing for Croatia and Modrić on winning a title. But he is still a legend for his country. Leading them into the final of 2018 World Cup and a 3rd place finish in 2022 World Cup. An inspiring story for Croatia and Modrić. Showing that everything is possible and there are no small enemies in this world.

[@intothefray12]

Modric is truly one of the greatest footballers of all time. The absolute epitome of impact.

[@REALMX11]

@@intothefray12 truuuuueeee!!!!!

[@enochlee3601]

And to make it worse in 2002 they got knocked out to an already eliminated Ecuador. I was beyond shocked when I saw that result on the Wikipedia article it just didn't look real

[@REALMX11]

@@enochlee3601 oh yeah

[@enochlee3601]

@@REALMX11 yeah like Ecuador aren't slouches these days, but back in 2002 they weren't anything to write home about

[@eddybulich3309]

The injury to Eduardo Da Silva cost Croatia some silverware. The shock to the team and the loss of one of the best strikers in the world at the time. Not only were the bones in Dudu's leg broken but the hearts of Croatian fans around the world.

[@intothefray12]

Eduardo was so good. Had both insane technical skills and the physicality. Big shame he never managed to reach the top

[@eddybulich3309]

without the broken leg i am sure he would have. He was just starting to emerge and then terribly cut down. @@intothefray12

[@yugo1690]

11:55 You’re right the results don’t paint the entire picture of Bilić era. In 6 whole years he only had about 7 defeats. It’s a really small number for such a long time. And the next generation headed by Modric was beginning to emerge then

[@intothefray12]

Exactly, fine margins saw him finish with an unlucky record

[@ridjobradikapetantrokuka3834]

Dominik Livakovich, Nediljko Labrovich, Ivitsa Ivushich, Joshko Gvardiol, Josip Shutalo, Marin Pongrachich, Martin Erlich, Domagoy Vida, Borna Sosa, Josip Stanishich, Josip Juranovich, Martscelo Brozovich, Nikola Moro, Luka Modrich, Lovro Mayer, Martin Baturina, Luka Suchich, Mario Pashalich, Luka Ivanushets, Marko Pyatsa, Marco Pashalich, Dion Belyo, Andrey Kramarich, Ante Budimir.

[@filijala7925]

that game against turkey still haunts me today. I was at almost all domestic qualifying matches and at the away game in London against England. that summer 2008 we went to Klagenfurt and watched the matches against Germany and Poland (in the fan zone) and when we passed the group we thought that was it, a young great generation, even without Eduardo...we can go on all the way.. and then Turkey happens

[@intothefray12]

It would haunt me too. Turkey lived the dream, but have paid the price ever since. Whereas Croatia has gone from strength to strength. It must have been a horrible moment, but you have even better memories now!

[@danijelsan81]

Same here.

[@ddcowe]

Yes, it is worse than any other defeat, even worse than losing the finals against France.

[@Euro.Paleta]

I skipped the euro 2008. part of the video. It still pains me to even think about it. If only, if only Rakitić decided to hold the ball instead of playing the long ball which ended up being offside from which we conceded... But you can't blame him since he was very young at that time

[@norisknofun9720]

at 17:47, it's worth mentioning that Čačić was fired before Croatia went to Ukraine to play deciding away game against Ukraine. We had to avoid defeat in order to secure playoff spot, but we were playing terrible. So immediately first Dalić's match was basically knockout match. He literally had few days on the job before that match. Croatia ended up winning 0-2, with Kramarić scoring 2 goals. But that whole match was very scary for Croatians as Ukraine had few clear chances at 0-0

[@branimirvukadin9253]

Both videos on the topic deserves kudos. As addition and you might agree with it, Croatian team became famous for playing exceptionally good against big teams and mess it up against weaker ones 😉 As a Croat I'm proud of level of success team made over all these years, now decades since independence and the fact that players are finding serving national team as honour that is above everything else and doing best in their capabilities to make their people proud and our country name echo heard around the globe saying "Croats are here, respect us" 💪

[@intothefray12]

Thank you. Ha, Croatia has certainly shot themselves in the foot a few times. Croatia has gone through struggle just to exist so it's fantastic that these few great players have shown the world who Croatia is and what it means to be a Croat!

[@HrvojeBan]

I think it might be a mentality/motivation thing, this is why Croatia struggles with lesser teams, but gives their best against powerhouse teams. This is why I am happy with our Euro 2024 group (Spain, Italy, Albania) and have no worries about Spain and Italy games (we can win, lose or draw, but I'm sure we won't be destroyed), Albania game will be the trickiest.

[@intothefray12]

@@HrvojeBan I think you are correct. Great point. You always battle hard against top nations. Albania are likely to view Croatia as the most winnable match (although I think that should probably be Italy) and with one win usually enough to get through the group, you can't be complacent!

[@frankdux2057]

I think the euro 96 team and the euro 2016 were the 2 best Croatia teams. Croatia played great football in that 96 tournament unfortunately lost but still outplayed Germany being a man down. Euro 2016 Croatia also played some great football. Had a great young player in Pjaca who unfortunately tore both his knee ligaments. Portugal game was unfortunate as they played dirty had double more fouls than Croatia. Portugal scored the winner in extra time after Perisic just hit the post.Croatia has always had so really foootballers but Modricis truly special. We will never have another like him with his talent heart and determination.

[@lukacvitkovic8550]

The football team is by far the most popular, but we have also had periods dominating handball and waterpolo, winning world and european championships as well as the Olympic games many times, with many silver and bronze medals too. We also produced world-class skiers Janica and Ivica Kostelić, the Skelin brothers are among the rowing elite, Blanka Vlašić was a famous and successful in the high jump (and yes, it is her brother playing in the football team) and I could go on. The takeaway is that we are an incredible sporting nation in general.

[@intothefray12]

A few people have told me similar in the comments. It really is a testament to the nation and it's stoic people that this is the case. Thanks for watching!

[@kocostamatis3080]

Thank you young man....job well done. Love from Croatia. 🇭🇷❤🇭🇷

[@intothefray12]

Thank you ❤️

[@anbajonj]

Two names are often forgotten in CRO football story. First is Zlatko Dalich - current manager of the team. I don't know any other coach who constantly introduces young players, gives them a proper chance and still manages to win games. Second one is Miroslav ''Chiro'' Blazevich. Manager from cca 1994 to 2000. He established the winning mentality in national team, and formula how to deal with international stars (Suker, Boban, Prosinecki etc.), and motivate the team to always give 100%. Stories about him are legendary. Tradition, mentality and lnow-how will make Croatia World or Euro Cup winners in 10 to 12 years.

[@mashinajoe]

You didn't mention the greizmann dive in the 2018 final.

[@perocigla4425]

and a suspicious penalty

[@Luka-ty4qr]

The 2014 world cup was the first taste of football I got and watching Croatia. I saw them get grouped and I immediately thought we would be that country getting grouped every tournament and I wasn't far off after doing my own research and finding out about the 98 team. Then comes Euro 2016 and beyond and while I did suffer my first football heartbreak that year I was excited to watch this team and 2018 well, you know what happened. Thank god I'm Croatian

[@miranblazek5303]

Being two times 3rd and once a 2nd team in World Cups, missing only one Euro and one World Cup, being 2nd in National League, says it all!

[@davell1078]

For me the biggest overachievers in international football is and always will be Uruguay, but Croatia's journey to being one of the toughest rivals in the world it's sure one to be admire.

[@intothefray12]

I think it's between those two for sure. I find it harder to argue the case for Uruguay because their World Cup triumphs were so long ago and footage is limited.

[@yuriorlov3750]

@@intothefray12 oh come on they won a WC with 13 Teams, have to Play 3 Games to come to the Final. And all without SPAIN, ITALY, ENGLAND, GERMANY! And in their group whre only 2 oponents. And the second WC they only have 1 game to win to get to the Final rounds. I mean come on the, 3rd place of the Worldcops sindce 1982 is more valuable than gold from this tournaments.

[@intothefray12]

@@yuriorlov3750 Worth adding that Uruguay also won both 1924 and 1928 Olympic Gold medals in football, where the beat Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Argentina etc. Of course the football standard was undeniably worse, but they were still incredibly good for the time.

[@brankobelfranin8815]

Uruguay Lol 100 years ago

[@powderskier5547]

Maybe could have mentioned the Nations League final, Croatia finishing runners up and very unlucky losing to Spain, Croatia was the better team, another major tournament achievement by Croatia

[@enochlee3601]

This has got to be your best video yet apart from the video about Carlos Fierro, the lessons from every World Cup winner and about the Spanish Golden Generation. I also assume this video might get a quick update once Croatia's run in Euro 2024 concludes?

[@intothefray12]

Thank you! I'd love to revisit the topic with new information when the time is right for sure!

[@enochlee3601]

Great

[@corto1950]

The history is yet to be written

[@leont4944]

Amazing job man, really detailed analysis and very accurate. As a Croat, I just wanted to confirm that your info is spot on. The most impressive bit is how you correctly identified Bilic as being the true creator of our latest generation. We now find ourselves at the very end of an era. After this Euro Championship, Modric will retire and we'll need to bring in the latest generation of talents so I don't expect much over the next 4-6 years but we'll be back, that's for damn sure! Also, just to add that Perisic is almost equally as important in our national team's history as Modric and Suker. They'd be the top 3 so far in my opinion.

[@intothefray12]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I do a lot of reading to try and accurately portray the topic I'm talking about so I'm really pleased you found it to be a good reflection! I'm doing previews for every nation ahead of Euro 2024 (coming soon!) and I think you're right that the next 5 years or so will likely not yield much success, but Croatia always comes again!

[@leont4944]

No probs, I respect the effort you put into your research so I had to commend you for it as it's only right :) When I say I wouldn't expect too much over the next 4-6 years, I mean no semi finals and finals but we'll be respectable in the group stages. However, Modric and Brozovic overshadowed some amazing talents like Majer, Baturina and Sucic so I expect them to take over the midfield in the near future and I suspect people will, once again, be surprised. At the same time, with Sutalo, Erlic, Gvardiol, Vuskovic and Stanisic in defence, Pasalic and Pjaca on the wing and Beljo in attack...we might be pleasantly surprised overall. Who knows but that's the fun part :)

[@kuroazrem5376]

I hope they win Euro 2024,

[@perocigla4425]

I hope but I also doubt. Almost the same group as in 2012. We are unlucky again.

[@nenadmordzin6510]

Great work i really enjoyed to watch this video it is nice to see the whole football history of Croatia on a foreign angle.

[@intothefray12]

Thank you so much!

[@HamzaTalksFootball]

Another great vid. Well done mate. 👏🏽

[@intothefray12]

Thanks mate

[@user-xj3ve7wt8k]

Great video 👍

[@intothefray12]

Thank you!

[@laardi79]

Great video and the historical background review was necessary like you said in the first part. Just keep in mind that Vlaović and Vlahović are two different players😊

[@intothefray12]

Thank you for your kind words 🙏🏽

[@tf3629]

Croatia was lacking confidence for years. In the 2000s they had great players and coaches but they felt burdened by the 1998 generation and the post-war mood was not good. Things improved a bit with Bilic who revitalized the team, but he made a disaster by not qualifying them for the 2010 WC, especially after a great 2008 Euro. 2010s their squad had players in some of the best teams in Europe and 2018 with the arrival of Dalic, completely changed the psychology of the team. 2020s they have multiple players for every position and the younger generations are inspired by the "silver generation." The future looks bright and as long as they believe in themselves, they can continue to win medals.

[@Mybroskiprojectmbappe]

HEEES BACKKK

[@balkanboy864]

Proud to be a Croat !

[@3r4iniac]

Great vid. I also enjoyed your pronunciation of "Čaćić" 😂😂

[@Feex92]

Kuzik 😂😂

[@ozvoid]

Butchering level 100

[@HrvojeBan]

It's amazing how somehow we managed to win all 4 out of 4 PK shooutouts at last 2 World Cups, but when playing European competitions we are 0/2, both losses heartbreaking, the Euro 2008 against Turkey when we felt that we could make it to the final and even win it all and now recently in 2023 in the UEFA Nations League final against Spain, a big chance (I won't say last chance since we have Euro 2024 in six months or so) for Modrić to win a major international trophy with Croatia. I'll try to dream big and be a huge optimist and say - it's good that we lost that final to Spain, because now Luka and our players will be more motivated for payback against Spain that we are playing in our first match of Euro 2024 and if we win we will get momentum and win the whole thing! 😊 If we won the Nations League, Luka would retire from the national team.

[@intothefray12]

If any player deserves it, it's Modric. A true scholar of the game and one of my favourite players of all-time.

[@kageryu311]

You won't win lol.

[@ridjobradikapetantrokuka3834]

Great vid, I was hoping you'd be the first english speaker to pronounce the names correctly but alas ^^ Anyway here's a quick primer for the future: š=sh č,ć=ch, j=y, ž=zh as J in Jacues, dž,đ=J as in Joe. So it's Modrich, Rakitich, Alyosha Asanovich, Robert Prosinechki, Davor Shuker etc.

[@intothefray12]

I don't use a prompter so I have to try and learn the correct pronunciations beforehand and remember but can be difficult. Thanks for watching!

[@HrvojeBan]

I find it very strange that somehow all English commentators and people in general always say Perišić's name as "Perisich". It's "Perishich". And there's no H in Vlaović (Goran Vlaović), I guess some older commentators who remember Vlaović mix up the pronunciation with a similar last name Vlahović (Dušan, Serbian attacker playing for Juve).

[@ridjobradikapetantrokuka3834]

​@@intothefray12 I think if you learn the sh and ch you can cover most of it, as these other letters happen less often. I think the LJ and NJ doubles might be hard, but just substitute the j with an y and you're good to go. The intonation is always on the first sylable if you really want to go all out native, but even the sh ch thing would be nice to hear from time to time. I dunno there's not much more cover, maybe always read C as a TS and never as a K. You really don't need to know all of it, but it might help you in the future.

[@intothefray12]

@@ridjobradikapetantrokuka3834 appreciate the help man, love

[@kuroazrem5376]

Srce Vatreno!

[@goranzovko865]

I was at the matches against Australia and against Turkey. It hurt more than a slap!

[@intothefray12]

I bet!

[@ToMbA_La_BoMbA]

Croatia was 5 times in additional qualifications and won every time. Croatia played 9 times against Italy and never lost. And if Alen Bokšić had not been injured before Euro '96 and WC '98, who knows what would have happened at those championships. For me, one of the best strikers. Won the CL with Olympique Marseille (1993.), played in Lazio, Juventus and at the end of his career for Middlesbrough. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZWUe2iDoLZod9Usi=GXW40v4AX-MFIgzc

[@TheRealPog1]

LETS GOOOO I DIDNT EVEN START THE VID BUT I KNOW ITS GONNA BE FIRE!!!!!!!!

[@intothefray12]

Respect! Enjoy my friend

[@TheRealPog1]

@@intothefray12 im excited for your future content !

[@intothefray12]

@@TheRealPog1 thank you man!

[@mashinajoe]

Croatia would have went very far if they were allowed to play in the 94 wc. Golden generation in their prime.

[@annelentur]

And league of nation 2023- 2. place !

[@croatiandon7846]

and last Nations League finalist

[@kageryu311]

You need to talk about Morocco. Not many content creators give the African teams love.

[@intothefray12]

I'll be speaking about Morocco and some other African nations in my next video! I'm also buzzing for AFCON!

[@tlixplix5212]

Why didn't you mention the 2022/233 Nations league where Croatia were silver medalists to Spain? And Čačić is pronounced chachich, and not kachich :) otherwise amazing video.

[@intothefray12]

Thank you! I missed the NL final because I forgot it to be honest, my apologies thats my mistake. Yeah I appear to have butchered that one sorry!

[@anitapudar4807]

The dark blue checkered jersey always brought luck and wins. We should bring them back asap

[@matthiasw8777]

Amazing video as per usual! Also fucking hell, how often do Croatia play Spain

[@intothefray12]

Lmao just a yearly occurrence at this point. Thanks man!

[@mashinajoe]

There are 10+ million Croatians around the world.

[@perocigla4425]

We were so unlucky so many times, and the refferee robs us literally on every tournament. That 2008 still gives us a lump in the throat. Then two posts hit in the decisive match vs Ukraine for the WC 2010. Then 2012, goal conceded in the last minutes. 2014 we got robbed like no one ever before. 2016 instead of playing vs Iceland in the round of 16, we played vs Portugal because they were too incompetent to top the easiest group ever, and then again, conceded the goal in the last minutes. We would have big chances to reach the final if just Portugal wasn't so pathetic. Portugal is the most undeserved Euro title ever. And then in 2018, Rebić didn't score in front of an empty goal in 115th minute (I still don't get why Poulsen got only a yellow card), and then Modrić missed the penalty. I believe we all had flashbacks from 2008, everything was pointing to another unlucky knock-out. And then we conceded the goal a few minutes before winning vs Russia. And in the final we were robbed again. Imaginary foul and a suspicious penalty. It is incredibly unbelieveable how unlucky we are that it became so much frustrating. The worst part is that it's not the case only in football. I don't agree that France was better in the final. We held the ball and they were just waiting for a counter attack. 2022 vs Argentina, also a very suspicious penalty. And I don't get why didn't we compete on the WC 1994.

[@intothefray12]

In terms of 1994, you became a FIFA member after qualification had begun. Thanks for watching!

[@mirocabraja5128]

Theirs a reason why Napoleon said give me an army of 100000 Croats and I will take over the world.

[@mixtv2212]

Good remember that Croatia in 2023 go to Nations League final

[@intothefray12]

It's a good point, it could have been included but largely I find the Nations League so tedious. It's my bad all the same. Thanks for watching!

[@mixtv2212]

The Nations have some good games, better than friendlys kkkk, but good video👏🔥, but as a Brazilian so sad remember Croatia 2022😢🤦‍♂️🤡

[@markovisic7244]

Dude Zvonimir Boban, Alen Bokšić, Dado Pršo, Igor Tudor, Stipe Pletikosa....

[@perocigla4425]

Pletikosa was an awful goalkeeper lmao.

[@user-fk9ek8zt9s]

The Asia and Africa cups have begun.

[@user-fk9ek8zt9s]

The sister of Luka modicum was killed in Guatemala.

[@mashinajoe]

The referees helped argentina in 2022. Such corrupt decisions from the 1st game.

[@rodneydelboy6910]

I fear this golden era is over now. The new players in the squad are not good enough like the team that beat England.

[@intothefray12]

I think this is definitely a worry for Croatia. One last hurrah in Euro 2024 and then a revamp is needed. Possibly another period of wilderness to follow. But who can ever be sure with Croatia.

[@rodneydelboy6910]

​@@intothefray12 Yeah ​ our team is full of suprises. This world cup I thought we will be out in the group stages especially because the strikers are lacking and then Petković who is a really bad striker btw knocks down brazil 😂

[@encorefootball]

If you add the diaspora, it's 7 million people eligible for Croatia, but still... what a CV they have.

[@intothefray12]

You're right, but that always gets into slightly complex territory, so I prefer to leave it to the official statistics.

[@branimirvukadin9253]

​@@martinranalli8572 not sure what are you trying to achieve...... None as number of trophies, however, accomplishments made are making big national teams like England, France, Italy, Brazil being extra cautious and respectful against small country of Croatia. This is not a story of an big nation reaching titles from big population number pool, it is a story of a small country with flaming heart players, giving so much to make their people proud and reaching levels only entitled do.

[@mashinajoe]

No. There are 10+ million Croatians around the world.

[@markmusic5303]

yeah but we only had Rakitić from outside of the country @@mashinajoe

[@Thoreaue]

I disagree, calling someone overachiever just because its a small country is stupid. Considering the players Croatia had and still has you might say that they underachieved in more then few competitions.

[@intothefray12]

I think you've missed part of the understanding. The fact Croatia has been able to produce such an abundance of talent despite a small population, the strife of their past and without the pedigree of other nations is commendable. There have certainly been missed opportunities but I still think it's absurd to suggest they've underachieved. Croatia were 33/1 in 2018 and 66/1 in 2022. They have never been fancied ahead of the major nations. Thanks for your opinion all the same and for watching!

[@Thoreaue]

@@intothefray12 Yes because its always large countries that are seen as favorites, even when they don't deserve it. This is the same in other sports where croatia won world cups and gold Olympic medals they are never seen as top contenders due to its size. Nevertheless, Croatia is not only 4 mln ppl in Croatia, if you check where a large number of our players over the years where born, you ll see that a lot of them are Bosnian Croats, lot of them were born in Germany, Switzerland etc. so all together Croatia has a pool of around 10 mln ppl.

[@intothefray12]

@@Thoreaue I'm aware ethnic Croats far outweigh the nations population, but given how hard it is to give a concrete number, I prefer to stick to official statistics.

[@Thoreaue]

@@intothefray12 Croatia had/have 2 iconic captains Boban and Modrić, they both delivered so to say. So if you ask me what made Croatia successful its these 2 guys - natural born leaders that are able to convince whole team that they are better then the opposite team even if that team is Brazil, England, France, Spain etc.

[@intothefray12]

@@Thoreaue I think that is a strong point and one I agree with. And goes some way to explaining why some great sides failed.

[@officialrobertcenox]

if croatian league manage to be among the 6 best leagues theyr nationasl team will improbe thats a proven fact . unless a miracle like greece happens in 100 years

[@tarik6990]

Say what you want but without Bosnia-Herzegovina, they wouldn't have reached third place at two World Cups.

[@ihghjgh]

muslims from bosnia and not so good at sport. serbs from bosnia are enemies. and than you have Croats

[@jamesg9468]

Unfortunately, Croatian football fans are probably the most arrogant in the world. In 2018, I was actually rooting for France in that final. Which did make me feel a bit nauseous.

[@markmusic5303]

what do you mean arrogant?

[@tripenalakorner8972]

​@@markmusic5303 ma ovaj je neki iskompleksirani Englez. Pravi se kao da su oni bili gospoda tamo pred polufinale pa se i dan danas cude i kmece kako smo im vratili bahatost nakon utakmice.

[@amerhamad-zp6ge]

Imagine Yugoslavia still around. They would have been scary. In basketball too.

[@maxcady9071]

If you find the Nations League "tedious" why did you bring up the results of their first two Nations League tournaments and not the Final in 2023? You should have mentioned the home result against Serbia as that was the first time they ever met as Croatia and Serbia. You should mention the score in all games. You have a talent to make a living off this, that is why I am commenting; constructive criticism.

[@intothefray12]

I missed the UNL final because I find it tedious, not purposely. With your other comments, it mostly just boils down to time. More was filmed than used in the creation of this series. And whilst I don't object to making the videos longer in future, right now that isn't viable due to time restrictions put upon me by working full time. Thank you for watching

[@DoDinho246]

Overachievers with Modric, Kovacic, Brozovic, Rakitic, Mandzukic?

[@intothefray12]

Nope. Overachievers for producing players of that quality despite long suffering of the ethnic population, a young nation of only four million inhabitants and little international pedigree (until now!)

[@markmusic5303]

yeah but if you have 5 world class players and 5 average, it's a miracle to win all those games with star packed teams

[@DoDinho246]

@@markmusic5303 “Other five” are not average. “Average” has very relative meaning. For example Lovren played for Liverpool, and he was not world class. But he can not be “average” playing in Liverpool. He is above average, but less than world class. And we had few of them (Rebić playing in Milan). I forgot to mention Perišić - world class.

[@Sololaverdad429]

Thats Uruguay,not Croatia.

[@cavo_ledeni1395]

It ain't "slavAn" bilić,it is "slavEn" bilić...u need a E instead of A..slavAn is serbian 😐

[@leonardoorellano6652]

biggest overachievers..? then perhaps you should look into a small country called Uruguay.. they actually won the world cup

[@intothefray12]

If only I had a video on every World Cup winner 😉

[@HrvojeBan]

Respect to Uruguay and their 4 world titles, but it was a long time ago and if we compare the results of Uruguay and Croatia since the 1998 WC (first one Croatia could qualify for), Croatia is much more successful. Yeah, Uruguay has 4 stars on their jersey, but the "youngest" star is 73 years old. Just to put things into perspective. Who knows, maybe in 73 years nobody will remember that Croatia won medals in 1998, 2018 and 2022 and it will have a poor national team, but now we are enjoying our phenomenal results.

[@leonardoorellano6652]

you should have seen the game Argentina-Uruguay a couple of weeks ago... also they played in Buenos Aires and Arg had their top team. There is no doubt in my mind that Uruguay is currently much stronger than Croatia. let me also mention that in am argentine. @@HrvojeBan

[@buzzerbeaterbuzzerbeater9001]

​@@HrvojeBan kakve cetiri 😂

[@argo9495]

@@HrvojeBan4 world titles 😂😂😂🤣🤣

[@SteveRadich1928]

Over achievers?? 😂You havent seen nothing yet

[@miranblazek5303]

Croatia with its identity and heritage, is not Balkan nation

[@anbajonj]

Two names are often forgotten in CRO football story. First is Zlatko Dalich - current manager of the team. I don't know any other coach who constantly introduces young players, gives them a proper chance and still manages to win games. Second one is Miroslav ''Chiro'' Blazevich. Manager from cca 1994 to 2000. He established the winning mentality in national team, and formula how to deal with international stars (Suker, Boban, Prosinecki etc.), and motivate the team to always give 100%. Stories about him are legendary. Tradition, mentality and lnow-how will make Croatia World or Euro Cup winners in 10 to 12 years.

[@mirocabraja5128]

Theirs a reason why Napoleon said give me an army of 100000 Croats and I will take over the world.